Mum who was too scared to have a smear test dies of cervical cancer aged 28

Amanda Booth passed away on Good Friday having only been diagnosed with cervical cancer last year

 

Bucket list: Amanda renewed her wedding vows before she died

A mum-of-three who was too frightened to go for a smear test has died.

Amanda Booth was just 28 when she passed away on Good Friday having only been diagnosed with cervical cancer last year, the Gazette reported .

Her family yesterday paid tribute to Amanda who "lived for her kids" - five-year-old Lucas and Leon, eight, and Demilee, 11.

Her husband David, 29, said he was glad they had shared a precious last holiday together in Flamingo Land just the week before.


The five - plus David's mum Kath who they live with - stayed in a chalet for a week and though Amanda was very poorly by this point, she was determined to see her "bucket list" through of making special memories for her family in her last few weeks.

Her list included renewing her wedding vows on Valentine's Day at St Francis of Assisi Church in Acklam. Demilee and Leon were also baptised during the ceremony.

"She managed to get out for three of the days at Flamingo Land," said Kath, 63. "And she saw Leon go on his first big rides, he'd not been old enough before."

David, who married Amanda three years ago this May, said: "It was awesome, she loved it."

Amanda took a turn for the worse at around 3am on Friday and was taken into James Cook University Hospital where she died only hours later surrounded by David, Kath, her sister Kayla and her parents Raymond and Mandy.

Cousin Anne Marie Stanwick, 29, who lives in Eston with her husband Andy and children Abby, 10, Emily, six, and Max, three, said: "Her greatest hobby was telling David what to do!

"But she also loved days out with the family, going to Castle Eden Walkway with a picnic or making loom band bracelets with them.

"She loved watching her soaps and she liked partying but she wasn't a drinker."
Kath added: "She would only have a drink on special occasions. If she had a glass of Coke and a packet of crisps she was happy."

Anne Marie wants the age limit for smear tests to be lowered from 25 to 16 so it is the same age as consent.

"No one should be dying this young of cervical cancer," she said.

"You just don't realise how important it is to get a smear. I always think this story sounds like something you'd read in a magazine.

"I was scared to have a smear - I've had two now - and it can be painful and it is degrading for someone who's shy but it's so important.

"I had my last one just after Amanda's diagnosis and she was over the moon when I got the all clear. She was just happy more people were having them.

"She knew it was her mistake."

Amanda had chemotherapy and radiotherapy after her diagnosis last June but sadly she was told the devastating news earlier this year that her cancer was terminal and she had only weeks to live.

Anne Marie added: "Right the way through it all she was so strong and so brave and she was an absolute inspiration."

No funeral arrangements have been made at present due to the bank holiday weekend but the family has asked for donations to Ward 14 of James Cook University Hospital in lieu of flowers.


Credit: Dailymirror